Quick Benefits Checker 2025/26

A rules-of-thumb screener showing which UK benefits your household may qualify for · not a full means test · always confirm with an official calculator.

Potential Annual Support Worth Checking
£0
Enter your details to screen your household
Benefits Worth Claiming
0
Universal Credit (est.)
£0/m
Child Benefit
£0/m
Other Support (est.)
£0/yr
Enter your details to get started.
Your Eligibility Screen
Potential Annual Support · Stacked
Key 2025/26 Benefit Rates · Reference
Benefit 2025/26 Rate Key Condition
UC standard allowance (couple 25+)£628.10/monthSavings under £16,000
UC child element£292.81/monthTwo-child limit ends April 2026
Child Benefit (first child)£26.05/weekHICBC from £60,000 income
Child Benefit (each other child)£17.25/weekNo limit on number of children
Carer's Allowance£83.30/week35+ hours caring, earnings under £196/week
Pension Credit (single)Tops up to £227.10/weekState Pension age
Pension Credit (couple)Tops up to £346.60/weekGateway to Winter Fuel Payment
Marriage Allowance£252/year tax savingOne partner earns under £12,570
Healthy Start£4.25 to £8.50/week per childOn UC, child under 4 or pregnant
Free school meals (value)~£480/year per childOn UC with low earnings

2025/26 rates · check GOV.UK for updates · Council Tax Support varies by council

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Benefits Checker FAQs

Is this an official benefits calculator?
No. This is a quick rules-of-thumb screener designed to show which benefits are worth investigating. It is not a full means test. For exact entitlements use the free official calculators at entitledto.co.uk, turn2us.org.uk or the GOV.UK benefits calculator pages, which run the full DWP rules including housing costs, deductions and transitional protections.
How do savings affect benefit eligibility?
For Universal Credit, savings under £6,000 are ignored. Between £6,000 and £16,000 your award is reduced by £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part) above £6,000. Above £16,000 you are not eligible for Universal Credit at all. Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Marriage Allowance are not affected by savings. Pension Credit has no upper savings limit but savings above £10,000 generate assumed 'deemed income'.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
If either partner has adjusted net income over £60,000 (2025/26), a tax charge claws back Child Benefit at 1% for every £200 of income above £60,000. At £80,000 or more the charge equals the full Child Benefit. You can still claim and receive National Insurance credits, or claim but opt out of payments. Pension contributions reduce adjusted net income and can bring you back under the threshold.
Can I get benefits if I am working?
Yes. Universal Credit is an in-work benefit: it tapers away at 55p for every £1 of net earnings above any work allowance, so many working households with children or high rent still qualify. Child Benefit is payable regardless of work. Around 7 in 10 people entitled to Pension Credit or Council Tax Support do not claim it, so it is always worth checking.
What is Pension Credit and who gets it?
Pension Credit tops up the weekly income of people over State Pension age to £227.10 for a single person or £346.60 for a couple (2025/26). It is a gateway benefit: getting even £1 of Pension Credit can unlock Winter Fuel Payment, a free TV licence over 75, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. It is heavily under-claimed · always check if you or a relative are over State Pension age on a modest income.

For informational purposes only · Not financial or benefits advice · Rules-of-thumb screener, not a full means test · 2025/26 rates, check GOV.UK for updates · Use entitledto.co.uk, turn2us.org.uk or GOV.UK for exact amounts before making decisions